Can Monarch Sculpture Park Be Saved?

We were saddened to read in the paper recently that the Monarch Sculpture Park would soon close due to the owner's financial and health challenges. Monarch Sculpture Park is an non-profit arts organization about halfway to Yelm along the Chehalis-Western multi-use trail that many Thurston County cyclists know well. They have been hosting local and international sculptors for about 15 years, and providing scholarships, residencies and other programs to artists when funds are available. The park is scheduled to close later this month, but apparently there is a movement afoot to try to save the Monarch Sculpture Park. There will be a meeting this Thursday at:

Thurston County Courthouse
http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/directions.htm
Building 1, room 280
This is the building on the left, adjacent to the parking lot.  Come in the closest glass door, and go up the staircase.  The room is near the top of the stairs.

4 PM Thursday, July 7.

The Woodland Trail Greenway Assn. will discuss this and other trail topics at their monthly meeting the same evening, at 6 PM, Urban Onion restaurant.

To find out more, contact Jack Horton at the Woodland Trail Greenway Association or email info"at"woodlandtrail.org

Last week to record miles for the BCC!

There's one more week to get your mileage up, and record the miles you've ridden in May for the Bicycle Commuter Contest. How a month does fly by! Please remember to record the miles you've ridden to work, school or on errands this May on your BCC mileage log, and return it in person to the Olympia Transit Center, or by mail to the address on your mileage log.

Don't let a little rain stop you (but do slow down, as your brakes won't respond as well, and the streets can be a little slick). This morning was damp, but it's not actually so unpleasant to ride in the spring sprinkle. The fresh air, the fresh rain on your face- it's good for the skin! So keep pedaling your way towards a nice envelope of valuable coupons, and maybe even a prize!

If you'd like to be interviewed for a "Rider Profile" to be featured on this blog, email me at dgreen@intercitytransit.com

Build-A-Bike service offers, asks for support

• Do you want to try bike commuting, but need help getting your bike in shape?


• Do you have an old bike you'd like to donate to a good cause?

Connect with the folks at Build-A-Bike! Click on the title above or call their new phone number (not the one on the website), which is 539-0955.

Build-A-Bike is located in the garage at 2602 18th ave SE . They meet every Sunday from Noon till 4pm, helping people work on their own bikes. They have cataloged lots and lots of used parts, gleaned from donated bikes, some of it new and surplused by a bike shop. There is no charge for this service but the owner must participate in the work. People considering beginning a bike commute can bring in their bikes to see if they require some maintenance. They do take donations but prefer they be left during operation hours of noon to 4pm on Sundays, rather than dropped off at other times.

Limited Supply of BCC T-shirts Remains

Show your Bike Commuting Colors!

This year's BCC T-shirts are a hit! They are long sleeved, Royal Blue, 100% Cotton, printed locally with our catchy logo, cost only $15, and only a few remain! Come on down to the Olympia Transit Center to get yours while they last! Currently there are all sizes available (Youth Large and Adult S,M,L,XL, & 2XL). Hurry as some sizes are going fast.

Olympia Transit Center is at 222 State Ave. in downtown Olympia, and is open 7am-7pm.

BCC REACHES NEW RECORD!

As of right now, we have over 1450 participants registered for the Bicycle Commuter Contest!


This is a feat worth recognizing, as our community has increased its participation by 45%! Last year set our previous record of 1005 participants. Since May 1st, I have seen more bikes on the roads than ever before. It is great pulling up to a stop light beside fellow cyclists and being able to say hello and chat about the day. We don't really get to do that in our cars...

I have heard a lot of great stories of how people are getting used to their routine of cycling instead of driving and making record times to work. Thanks for all of the support and input. I love hearing about your commutes!


My favorite part of my bike commute to and from work is being able to ride with a couple friends down the road, as if we were kids again riding bikes after school. A great alternative to sitting in my car by myself! Leave a comment and tell me your favorite part of your commute to work or school, or wherever! Keep up the good practice of bike commuting, we are contributing to a healthy environment!

A NEW RECORD!

The BCC continues to grow! We have set a new record this year for participation in the BCC, as of right now we have 1002 participants!

• 2006: 889 participants
• 2005: Over 600 participants
• 2004: Previous record of 928 participants

What a way to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the contest. Thank you everybody for signing up and pedaling, both veterans and first timers. You are making a difference!

Thanks to all for their help with the 2007 Wrencher's Ball!

Thanks to local bike shop mechanics, community volunteers, and their wrenching abilities, we were able to tune-up 80 bikes at our annual Wrencher’s Ball! The Wrencher’s Ball is an all day, annual event that takes place the last Friday in April, right before the contest starts. It is a last chance effort to offer free bike service to those who wish to commute by bike and have signed up for the contest.

Thank you to Larry, Sam and Adam at OlyBikes for their professional mechanical work and all of their help and support with the BCC!




Thank you to Evergreen Bike Shop for their involvement and support with the Wrencher's Ball and the BCC!

Thank you to Min Lee from Joy Ride in Lacey for your help and wrenching!

Thank you to Neil Siviy from Bike Guy, a bike repair service on Lybarger St NE, for your help wrenching!

And thank you to all of the community members who offered their help and/or wrenching abilities at the Wrencher's Ball!

The day ran very smoothly, thank you to everyone for your help! Great job!

If you missed this year's Wrencher's Ball, be sure to make next year's! Tune-up and safety check is free to all who sign up for the Bicycle Commuter Contest!

If you are missing a frame pack or lock, please email ktarullo@intercitytransit.com or call 705-5839.

Earth Day Market Ride a Hit!

Thanks to everyone who led rides and attended this past Saturday's Earth Day Market Ride! Despite the rain we had a great turnout of 44 riders!After meeting at the fountain we all pedaled to the Farmer's Market to sign everybody up for the contest and give away free CatEye tail lights with registration! We still have more lights which we will have at the Wrencher's Ball this coming Friday...stay tuned for more details!


















This is the group heading down Capitol. This ride counts as the first commute trip for the contest! So log those miles on your mileage log if you haven't already!



If anyone has any other pictures from
Saturday, send them to ktarullo@intercitytransit.com

Welcome to Our New BCC Blog!

Welcome Bicycle Commuter Enthusiasts! Here you will be able to find out more detailed information about our events that are coming up and info on bike commute related topics. And if you have comments you would like to list about the related topics, please feel free! We are hoping this blog will enable us to be more interactive with our Bicycle Commuter Contest participants! Please remember all comments will be monitored before posting and if you leave contact information it will be viewed by all other visitors to this site.